Learn About Loons

Loons are considered one of the most primitive birds on earth. They have not changed from their current form for the last one million years. The first loon relative appeared about 25 million years ago and measured about six feet from beak to tail. There are five species of loons in the world: Common Loon (Gavia immer), Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii), Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica), Arctic Loon (Gavia arctica), and the Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata). Only the Common Loon breeds in the lower 48 states and usually nests on inland lakes.

LoonWatch focuses on the protection of common loons and their aquatic habitats through education, monitoring, and research.

Loon Artificial Nesting Platforms—Determine if your lake is a good candidate for a nesting platform and find out what you need to do to acquire a permit or notify the Wisconsin DNR about your platform project.

Amazing! A banded loon was admitted to Northwoods Animal Hospital with 2 hooks and 100 feet of braided line. They were able to remove the hooks & line endoscopically with the help of a local gastroenterologist. The lesson here - please don't fish near loons - spread the word!

2014 Perspectives on Mining: Treaty Rights and Mining

Mar 12, 2014

Location Information7 p.m. @ Sentry Room - SOEI

Ann McCammon-Soltis, attorney and director of the Division of Intergovernmental Affairs at the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, will provide an overview of “Treaty Rights and Mining,” Wednesday, March 12 at 7 p.m. at the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute. This lecture is the third in Northland College's Perspectives in Mining series and is co-sponsored by the Native American Indigenous Cultureal Center. The lecture is free and open to the public.

McCammon-Soltis will talk about the 11 federally-recognized Ojibwe tribes in Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota who have reserved hunting, fishing and gathering rights in territories ceded to the U.S. through treaties. McCammon-Soltis will discuss how treaty rights impact human activities such as mining.

For futher information on the talk contact Jean Ayers at (715) 682-1264.

Ways to Support LoonWatch

Supporting LoonWatch can include donating your photography, volunteering to be a citizen scientist for research projects, giving a cash donation that ensure LoonWatch will be here to help loons thrive in the Northwoods. For more information, please contact Erica LeMoine at (715) 682-1220 or email at loonwatch@northland.edu.